UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS
CHAPTER 8
The Education, Religion, Institution and
Health
Function of Education
1. The Functionalist Perspective-Education performs a
number of important services that contribute to the
operation and maintenance of society.
A Functionalist believer that when a part of
society are working properly. Each contribute in the
well-being or stability of the society.
The word school came from the Greek word
“schole” which mean leisure.
a. Socialization. As a society becomes more
technologically complex and advanced, young
people need to be informed, need to acquire
new skills however the family cannot meet the
demands of this complexity.
b. Cultural Innovation. Schools transmit cultural
values and norms; examples are civic classes.
This is to encourage the students to do
community service and researches.
c. Social Integration. Schools help to forge a mass
of people into a unified whole. The school uses
language as a means of social integration,
establishing common language to encourage
communication.
d. Social Placement. Formal education helps
young people to assume culturally approved
status and perform roles that contribute to the
ongoing life in the society.
e. Latent Function. One function of the school that
sometimes is not visible but has an effect is the
child care.
2. Social Conflict Perspective. Social conflict analysis
links formal education to social inequalities, schools
develop people’s individual talents and skills but
promote social inequalities based on sex, race, ethnicity,
and social class.
a. Hidden curriculum. This refers to the attitude,
values and unwritten rules of behaviour the
schools tech and develop among the students in
addition to the formal curriculum.
b. Testing and Social Inequalities. When the
Americans arrived in the Philippines, the first
teachers were the soldiers and then the
Tomasites. Establishment of public schools
started during the American school children.
c. Credential Society. Is a society that inquires a
person to have a particular diploma or degree
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as a condition for employment, credential
society, a diploma and degree is an evidence for
a person to prove that he/she can perform some
specialized occupational role.
3. Symbolic Interactionism Perspective
a. Labelling. Is another form of inequality;
students are being ranked according to how
competent and intelligent they become. In
grade school, teachers usually place their fast
learners in the first row, the average learners
in the middle and the slow learners in the last
row.
b. Ability Groupings. Means clustering of people
together into classes or track.
Formal and Non-formal Education
Formal education Formal education institutions are
administratively, physically and curriculary organized
thus it requires students a number of days for
attendance.
Non-formal education does not require student
attendance, decrease in the contact between student
and teacher and most of the time, activities take place
outside an institution.
Four Characteristics of Non-formal educations:
1. Relevance to the needs of disadvantage group
2. Concern with specific categories of person
3. A focus on clearly defined purposes
4. Flexibility in organization and methods
Types of Non-formal Education
1. Correspondence course. Participants are
found in all age brackets and economic-social
classes.
2. Distance Learning. It is based in Non-
continues communication which means the
teacher and the learner are far without reach.
3. Open Learning System. Defined as those which
offer students flexible and self-governing way to
study the program of their choice when and
where they wish, and at a pace to suit their
circumstances.
Alternative Learning System in the Philippines
It is a parallel learning system that provides a
practical option to the existing formal instruction. The
goal to this program is to give chances for the out-of-
school-youth to finish their school in their most
convenient time.
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 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS
1. Productive citizenry. These are the people
who can earn for themselves and for their
family and eventually help the economy.
2. Self-actualization. It refers to the desire for
self-fulfillment, namely, to tendency for him to
become actualized in what he is potentially.
3. Human Rights Education. (HRE) can be
defined as education, training and information
aimed at building a universal culture of human
rights through the sharing of knowledge,
imparting of skills and molding of attitude to
prompt action directed at strengthening respect
for human rights, fundamental freedom and etc.
Barriers to Education
These are some of the challenges that our education
today is trying to resolve by new programs and
assistance coming from government.
1. Poverty. Is one reason why in developing
countries many of the children do not attend
primary education. Children’s time is
considered a cost because instead of earning
money for the family they have to spend time in
school.
2. Gender Inequality. Is considered as barrier to
education. Most of the time girls are the victim
of these inequality
3. Suitable Infrastructure for a quality education
includes spacious classroom, proper ventilation,
enough seats and books for the students, water
for drinking and comfort rooms.
Mother Tongue-Based Education Program
When children start their schooling, they often start
with a language very new to them and at the end of the
day they are forced to memorize and use this language
in other to cope with their teacher’s lesson.
Children from non-dominant language communities
are often forced to begin their formal education in
classrooms where their language is not allowed and
medium of instruction is a language they do not speak
and barely understand.
Education for all
The Education for All (EFA) is one of the programs of
UNESCO regarding primary education.
Overall Goals & Objectives of Philippine EFA 2015
1. Universal coverage of Out of School
Youth (OSY) and adults in the provision
of basic learning needs;
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2. Universal school participation and
elimination of drop outs and repetition
in first’s three grades;
3. Universal completion of full cycle of
basic education schooling with
satisfactory achievement levels by all at
every grade or year;
4. Total community commitment to
attainment of basic education
competencies for all.
Larger Risks to the Nation
1. Language. Education for all should
enable everyone to speak in vernacular,
Filipino and English.
2. National Identity. Education should not
only develop critical thinking, but also
enlarge horizons and inspire self-
reflection and hope in every generation.
3. Social Capital. It makes possible the
achievement of certain ends that would
not otherwise be attainable in its
absence.
4. Cultural Practices. allowing
communities and the whole country to
efficiently restrain opportunism and
resolve problem of collective action such
as individual refusal to serve the public
good, etc.
5. Individual Freedom. Education for all is
really about assuring the capacity to
fully exercise freedom by all (Philippine
Education for All (EFA) National Action
Plan 2015).
Religion and belief system
Religion as defined by Giddens,” As a cultural system of
commonly shared beliefs and rituals that provide a
sense of ultimate meaning and purpose by creating an
idea of reality that is shared, all-encompassing and
supernatural.”
The Sociological Perspective on Religion
1. Sociologist are more concerned with a
people rather than the divine aspect of
religion.
2. Sociologist are concerned with how
different religious institution and
organization function in the society.
3. Sociologist believe that religion
provides a social stability. If a society
dominated by a common religion, there
will be a social stability; however, if a
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 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS
society practices a social religion, the
society experience destabilization and
conflict. For example, India is so
numerous religious practices, like Islam,
Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism,
Hinduism, and hare crimes emerge in
this country.
4. Sociologist explains religion in the light
of social force rather than the personal,
spiritual or psychological forces.
Theoretical Analysis of Religion
Sociological explanation on religion is more likely
influence by three great thinkers
– Emile Durkheim, Karl Max and Max Weber
Karl Max: Religion is the opium of the people.
Max believes that religion represent human
self-alienation. This is because people accept
inequalities and injustices because of a promise of a
better life after death. Karl Max believes that religion is
the sigh of the oppressed, the sentiment of the heartless
world and the soul of the soulless conditions; it is the
opium of the people.
Emile Durkheim: Religion as Sacred or Profane
Durkheim believes that we are confronted by the
power of society every day. He believes that the sacred
lies at the heart of the society; as people develop
religious belief, they celebrate the awesome power of
their society.
Sacred represents the shared immortality of individual
mortal being.
Functions of Religion
1. Religion provides answer to questions
like; purpose of life, why people suffer,
why people die, meaning of existence,
existence of afterlife and the like.
2. Religion provides comfort and meaning of
life suffering.
3. It promotes social solidarity
4. It provides guidelines for everyday life.
5. Religion sets limit on people’s behavior.
6. Although religion is not a campaigner of
change, in some instances it leads some
changes in the society.
Max Weber: Connection of religion on social and
economic aspect of different culture.
Max Weber viewed industrial-capitalist societies as
the product of rationalized world view taught by early
Calvinism and not because of social conflict. Weber
attempted to study the connection of religion on social
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economic aspect of different cultures. After thorough
analysis, he believed that religion is the hindrance to the
development of capitalist ideology which emerged in
Western Europe.
Belief System
 Organized way of trying to explain the world
around us. Distinguishes human beings and
becomes part of culture.
Animism
 or also known as spirit worshipers they
believe that there are spirits in trees, rocks,
mountains as well as people. Animist offer
sacrifices, prayers, dances, or other forms of
devotions to these spirits in hope of
blessing upon areas of life.
Monotheism
 Greek word monos = one, theos = god.
 A belief in the existence of one god.
Polytheism
 refers to the belief in, or worship of,
multiple gods or deities. A polytheistic
religion will have a supreme creator and
focus of devotion.
Institutionalized Religions
Institutionalized religion is typically
characterized by an official doctrine (or dogma), a
hierarchical or bureaucratic leadership structure, and a
codification of rules and practices.
1. Christianity- is the most widespread
religion in the world.
2. Islam- The second largest and fastest
growing religion in the world. There are
about 1.5 billion Muslims in the world, and
25 million increase each year.
Al-Islam- means submission without permission to
God’s will.
Allah- God of Islam.
Prophet Abraham- They believed that their religion
started with him. Also regarded as a father of Judaism.
Koran- Sacred book of Islam means “recitation”.
3. Hinduism- The oldest religion that dates
back to 4,500 years ago. The religion
started in the Indus River Valley and for
centuries Hinduism remains to be
dominant religion in India and Pakistan.
Some followers can be found in Africa and
Indonesia.
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 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS
Dharma- a duty to act in connection with the traditional
cast system.
Karma- a belief in the spiritual progress of the A human
soul. Hindu believes that in every action one must be
thoughtful of the spiritual consequences of his action.
Reincarnation- a cycle of new birth following death, an
individual is reborn in spiritual state depending on hi
moral quality of previous life.
Nirvana- it is the state of spiritual perfection.
Separation of the state- from the ARTICLE II
(Declaration of Principles and State Policies) in
SECTION SIX declares “The separation of Church and
State shall be inviolable”. However, despite of this the
influence of the Church in the government is very
evident.
RH BILL (Reproduction Health Bill) which took years
before the final decision was made. The Church also had
a great part in the success of EDSA I on February 1987.
The issue on the separation of church and state must be
revisited and reviewed. There must be a clear line
between the state and the church on the activities of
each other. Most of the time, there is confusion on the
role of each other and as a result, both cross one another’s
territories and boundaries.
Health and the Society
Health-is a state of physical, mental and social well
being
WHO- World Health Organization
Ethnomedicine-Is also known as the study of Cross
cultural health system
-This is process is known even during the
early days of anthropology
WBM- Western Biomedicine
Culture-Specific Syndrome and Illness
The disease is not known or believed in other
society or tribe.
Culture specific syndrome is characterized by;
1. Classification as a disease in the culture
2.Widespread familiarity in the culture
3.Complete lack of familiarity or misunderstanding of
the condition to people in other culture
4.No objectively demonstrable biochemical or tissue
abnormalities (Signs)
5.The condition is usually recognized and treated by the
folk medicine culture
KURU- is a fatal culture specific disease of the brain
Carleton Gajdusek
 An American pediatrician
 Went to Papua New Guinea in the late 1950's
 -Tried To research for the solution
PASMA-is an interaction of hot and cold
-Defined as "Exposure Illness"
SUMPA and GABA
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*Sumpa- is a swearword inflicted by a person
*Gaba- is a curse
NAMAMALIGNO
 Is a widespread belief in the Philippines
 Belief that a disease is caused by supernatural
or a mystical being
In the Philippines these belief on NAMAMALIGNO,
GABA, SUMPA, PASMA are very popular not only in the
rural areas but also in the cities.
System of Diagnosis, Prevention and Healing
Philippines Folk Medicine
1. Alabularyo is a referred to as general
practitioner; His /her understanding is usually
based on hand-me-down practices and
tradition. Method of healing is usually through
prayers, bulong, orasyon, pulse-taking and
herbal plants.
2. 2.Mangbibilot concentrates on methods and
treatments applicable to injures, fractures, and
musculoskeletal conditions. Hilot in the
Philippines is a therapy massage used in the
ancient time.
 Bentosa cupping massage is a healing method
adapted from the Chinese over 3,000 years ago.
It is used to drain access fluids antitoxins;
stimulate the peripheral nervous system; bring
blood flow to stagnant muscles and skin and
loosen adhesion, connective tissue and
stubborn knots in soft tissue.
 Daglay It is a therapeutic massage that uses
sticks. This way of massage helps the person to
attain good blood circulation.
3. Medico Is an albularyo but adopts western way
of healing. He /She uses the traditional way of
healing and at the same time gives the
prescription of medicines
4. Magtatawas Detects illness through a ritual
called tawas. It is a popular diagnostic ritual
performed by most alternative healers that
provide clues to the nature and cause of the
illness. Pagtatawas originally came from
chemical
Western Way of Healing
 Western medicine is far from the traditional
healing that we have known in the Philippines.
It is the method of treatment which involves
research through a scientific process.
 Western medicine encompasses all types of
conventional medical treatment, including
surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and physical
therapy.
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 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS
 In Africa and Asia almost 80% still adhere to  Healthy working and environmental conditions;
traditional medication rather than the modern  Health-related education and information;
way of healing. The industry is worth big money.  Gender equality.
In 2005 traditional medicines worth US$14 2. The Right to Health contains freedoms.
Billion were sold in china. And in 2007 Brazil  The right to a system of health protection,
saw more than US$60 Billion.  The right to prevention, treatment and control of
Alternative Medication diseases,
 Alternative medicine means any form of  Access to essential and medicines.
medicine not recognized and practice by the 3. Health services, goods and facilities must be
western medicine or conservative medicine as provided to all without any discrimination.
practice by a majority of doctors today. 4. All services, goods and facilities must be available,
1. Acupressure: is similar to acupuncture but in
accessible, acceptable and of good quality.
here it is the use of finger to treat ailments
such as tension and stress, aches and pains,
menstrual cramps, arthritis.
2. Acupuncture: is the use of fine needles
inserted at specific points to stimulate,
disperse, and regulate the flow of vital
energy and restore a healthy energy
balance.
3. Aromatherapy: is the use of “essential oils”
distilled from places. Aromatherapy treats
emotional disorders such as stress and
anxiety as well as a wide range of other
ailments
Health is a human right imbedded in every
individual in the society. According to the
General Comment, the right to health contains
four elements
1. Availability: a sufficient quantity of
functioning public health and health care
facilities, goods, and services, as well as
programs.
2. Accessibility: health facilities, goods and
services accessible to everyone.
Accessibility has four overlapping
dimensions:
a. Non- discrimination
b. Physical accessibility
c. Economical accessibility
d. Information accessibility
3. Acceptability: all health facilities, goods
and services must be respectful of medical
ethics and culturally appropriate as well as
sensitive to gender and life-cycle
requirements.
4. Quality: health facilities, goods and
services must be scientifically and
medically appropriate.
Key aspects of the Right to Health
1. The right to health is an inclusive right and it
includes the following:
 Safe drinking water and adequate sanitation;
 Safe food;
 Adequate nutrition and housing;

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